The identification of valid performance indicators in non-elite volleyball

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The purpose of the dissertation is to identify valid volleyball performance indicators of all technical skills and combined technical skills in non-elite volleyball using the original performance indicators and key performance indicators identified in principal component analysis using the methods of set outcome, close set outcome and final league points. The sample consisted of 180 sets taken from the Men's National Volleyball League Super 8s 2012/13 season. In every set, teams were characterised according to set outcome (win or lose), close set outcome (win or lose where set score differences were two points) and final league points. The sets were video-recorded and analysed with the StatEasy program. Data was collected using an efficacy system where eight technical skills (attack, serve, block, setting, reception, dig, cover dig, free ball-overpass dig) and two combined skills (point scoring and ball control) were rated on a five-point scale. Six performance indicators (efficiency ratio, efficiency percentage, skill rating four percentage, positive percentage, in-play percentage and efficacy) were produced for each technical and combined skill. Wilcoxon signed ranks test was conducted to identify differences between winning and losing performances within a set and a close set. Pearson's correlation was conducted to identify correlations between the performance indicators and final league points. Principal component analysis reduced the original set of performance indicators into 11 principal components. The above procedure was conducted again but using key performance indicators, identify from principal component analysis. Wilcoxon signed ranks test results show 47 of the 60 original performance indicators covering all technical skills with the exception of cover digs were significantly different between winning and losing performances within a set (p < 0.01). Pearson's correlation test results shows that 24 of the original 60 performance indicators covering point scoring, ball control, attack, setting and reception were significantly correlated to final league points (p < 0.01). Wilcoxon signed ranks test results show 11 of the 60 original performance indicators covering point scoring, ball control, attack and setting were significantly different between winning and losing performances within a set (p < 0.01). Principal component analysis results produced 11 principal components where two were new logically related performance indicators. Only attack-system efficiency percentage was a better key performance indicator than the original two performance indicators put together. The top three
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performance indicators that best discriminate in set outcome, close set outcome and league points is points efficiency percentage, points efficiency ratio and points efficacy. The highest individual technical skill performance indicator that best discriminate all three conditions was attack efficiency percentage. The performance indicator type also shows that both point scoring and point losing action variables should be considered together.

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